Description: Cottonwood Tree Root | Dimensions: 17”h x 16”w x 12”d

The Owl, or Mongwu, is the leader of the warrior katsinam and brings the whippers to the summer dances to discipline the clowns with for their un-Hopi-like behavior. Standing at the edge of the dance circle while the clowns perform, Mongwu glaringly disapproves of their actions. Near the end of their performance, a parliament of mongwu swoop in and metaphorically beat the clowns with the whips, drench them with water and leave them in a heap on the plaza. Mongwu are considered sorcerers.

Description: Cottonwood Root | Dimensions: 19”h x 18”w x 12”d

Born in the Hopi Village of Moencopi in 1942, Loren Phillips is a husband, father and katsina carving master. Phillips offers may fine details in his katsina dolls such as those shown here in his Eagle Dancer. As a dancer himself, he knows the nuances of the traditional dances as well as the meanings and symbolism he conveys through his carvings. He is a well-known, acclaimed carver and his work is in high demand by museums and collectors alike.

Description: Cottonwood Root (2006) | Dimensions: 32”h x 10”w x 10”d

Loren Phillips offers may fine details in his work such as those seen here in his Butterfly Maiden with her beautiful tableta. As a dancer himself, he knows the nuances of those traditional dances as well as the meanings and symbolism he conveys through his carvings. He is a well-known and acclaimed carver and his work is in high demand by collectors and museums alike.

Description: Katsina (Cottonwood Tree Root) | 26”h x 17”w x 11”d

An eagle katsina carved by Hopi artist Loren Phillips was once described by Helga Teiwes, author of “Kachina Dolls: The Art of Hopi Carvers,” as “a merging of the human body with the wingspan and stance of an eagle in the wild, a mingling of two realities that evokes the supernatural.” Since that time, Phillips has exceeded that portrayal as evidenced in his subsequent work entitled “High Spirits.” Here, not one, but two eagle spirit dancers not only merge the human form with their wingspan but they also embody the beauty and grace of aerobatic flight, a mingling of three realities that evokes the supernatural. Up close “High Spirits” reveals countless hours of carving exacting feathers, vibrant yet rich color, and jubilant reverence for Hopi cultural.

Description: Hopi Katsina; Cottonwood Tree Root | Dimensions: 18”h x 12”w x 10”d

Introduced by the Spanish during the 16th Century, “kawayvatnga” is the Hopi word for watermelon. And, aren’t we glad they did?

Description: Katsina (Cottonwood Tree Root) | 19”h x 10”w x 12”d

Description: Hopi Katsina (Cottonwood Tree Root) | 9”D x 9.5”w x 36”h